The Animal Council's Blog

This year’s visit was after New Year’s, Friday, January 2, a sunny afternoon with all the promise of a new year and new homes for the dogs and cats populating the downtown San Francisco Macy’s windows for the 2014 run that ended that Sunday, January 4, 2015.

O’Farrell and Stockton Street Corner 2014-15MACY’S

The windows! Even hot dogs!

The Windows!

We love the juxtaposition of the annual Magical City corner window with its figures of purebred dogs and pedigreed cats with the adjacent Magical Gift windows of cats and dogs available for adoption from the San Francisco SPCA that has to leave it’s “Adopt don’t buy” message at the facility. Clever designers annually change the Magical City just enough to keep it fresh and surprising with its local backdrop, holiday theme and marvelous figures and music.

THE MAGICAL CITY 2014

This year, the Magical City’s amazing surprise was a flying sleigh led by a French Bulldog and pulled by two Alaskan Malamutes.

THE MAGICAL GIFT, 2014

Once in the festive mood, pet seekers can watch the cats and dogs, talk to the SFSPCA volunteers and go to the setup inside the store to see additional animals in a holding area, and sit down to begin an adoption or just consider the possibilities.

An empty cat window awaiting a new occupant.

Here they are!

THE BIG WINDOW FOR CATS 2014

AN 8 WEEK KITTEN, 2014

ANOTHER CAT WINDOW 2014

Mesmerized adults and children crowd around each window with their cameras.

Amidst the scarves on Macy’s first floor, the excited adopters meet the candidate.

The deal closes here.

ADOPTION COUNT, JANUARY 2, 2015

Back outside to check out the 2014 window design.

NEW GIRL IN TOWN 2014

There is a new girl among the skaters this year, fitting San Francisco’s diversity.

THE TOY BREEDS 2014

The Papillon and Yorkie are dolled up this year.

THE DACHSHUND FIGURE 2014

Hat and coat for the Dachshund who does have a rather foxy look in more ways than one.

THE ROTTWEILER FIGURE 2014

THE BIG GUY 2014

THE AFGHAN PRINCESS 2014

THE MINIATURE SCHNAUZER FIGURE 2014

We love the beautifully done ears and tail.

BELLA AND THE BOXER 2014

Bella, the Frenchie, and the Boxer (rear) were back this season but just twirl in place by the Christmas tree. In 2013, they twirled and skated all around the Christmas Tree.

THE BOXER 2014

The twirling Boxer’s docked tail shows just below his winter vest.

THE AMAZING GREEN STOCKTON STREET 2014

Underground construction of a new transit line has closed Stockton Street in the Union Square area, so it was covered with artificial turf for the holiday season, although there is cross traffic on the intersecting streets. Who thought we’d ever be walking down the middle of Stockton Street on a Friday afternoon?

Stockton and Geary — an irresistible photo spot facing the Neiman Marcus Christmas tree. The store is on the lot of the long gone landmark City of Paris department store where an interior rotunda featured a very tall tree during the holiday season.

UNION SQUARE, SAN FRANCISCO , JANUARY 2, 2015

Finally, the huge Christmas tree in iconic Union Square and the seasonal ice skating rink with the Zamboni at work.